Paris Saint-Germain triumphed over Le Mans with a 0-2 victory in the Coupe de France round of 16. Scoring first through Désiré Doué and later through Bradley Barcola, PSG controlled the match despite missing several key players. The highlight was Presnel Kimpembe’s return after nearly two years out due to injury. Although Le Mans started strong, PSG’s tactical adjustments in the second half secured their place in the quarter-finals comfortably.
PSG Dominates Le Mans in Coupe de France Clash
Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions, showcased their prowess in the Coupe de France by defeating Le Mans, a team from the National (third division), with a score of 0-2 in the round of 16. Despite missing key players like Marquinhos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Joao Neves, and Warren Zaïre-Emery, the squad managed to control the match effectively at the Marie-Marvingt stadium, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
Key Moments and Player Highlights
The breakthrough came from Désiré Doué, who capitalized on a defensive blunder by Le Mans to score in the 25th minute. Bradley Barcola, who substituted for Doué, later extended the lead with a goal in the 71st minute. A heartwarming moment of the match was the return of Presnel Kimpembe, who played his first game in nearly two years, making his comeback ten minutes before the final whistle after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
Le Mans initiated the match with a promising shot from Eyoum, but PSG’s possession dominated the first half, despite being somewhat ineffective. The first goal came after a mistake from Lauray, allowing Ramos to assist Doué for a well-placed shot into the left side of the net. The first half lacked excitement, particularly with the absence of Barcola and Dembelé, although Kvaratskhelia remained a bright spot for the team.
In the second half, PSG initially faced resistance from the determined Le Mans squad. However, with strategic substitutions by Luis Enrique, including Mendes, Hakimi, Vitinha, and Barcola, the team regained its momentum. Barcola’s impressive run led to the second goal, securing the victory for PSG. The final minutes saw the Parisian midfield effectively controlling the game, concluding with a comfortable 0-2 victory.
Overall, the match was not just about advancing in the tournament; it also marked a significant moment for Kimpembe, who celebrated his return with the supporters, despite receiving a yellow card shortly after entering the pitch. His comeback added an emotional touch to an already satisfactory evening for the Parisian club.